Orlando Josiah Vargas was a typical fun-loving, talkative and friendly 5-year-old child.
But then, a day before his sixth birthday, Orlando, the son of Orlando and Jessica Vargas, of Horseheads, was suddenly gone.
Two years later, his grieving family is honoring Orlando’s memory with an inaugural 5-kilometer race that will also serve as a fundraiser for a future scholarship program.
“Orlando passed away unexpectedly in June of 2023 after a brief illness,” Jessica Vargas said. “It has been a very painful journey, but this memorial race is one way we are choosing to honor his life, his joy and the impact he had on others.”
The first annual Orlando Josiah Memorial 5k will be held June 28 at Thorne Street Park, 504 Thorne St. in Horseheads. The 5k will start at 8:30 a.m., and will be followed by a kids fun run at 9:45 a.m.
The entry fee is $43.50 for the 5k, and $18 for the kids fun run. There will also be a virtual 5k race, with an entry fee of $43.50.
All proceeds from the event will go toward a scholarship fund in Orlando’s name for a deserving future graduate of the Horseheads Central School District, his parents said.
Orlando was kindhearted and helpful, loved learning and playing with his brother Charlie, and also enjoyed collecting Pokémon cards with his friends and worshipping with his church family, according to his obituary.
He also loved sports and other outdoor activities.
“We want to honor our son’s memory with an annual 5k and kid’s fun run for the community,” Jessica Vargas said. “He had a passion for outdoor activities and cherished moments spent playing with friends.”
The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. June 24 for the virtual 5k, and 11:59 p.m. June 26 for the 5k and fun run. For more information and to sign up for any of the race day activities, go to runsignup.com/Race/NY/Horseheads/OrlandoJosiahMemorial5k.
To donate to the memorial scholarship fund, send checks made payable to “Orlando Josiah Memorial Inc.” to P.O. Box 149, Horseheads N.Y. 14845.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Family of Horseheads boy who died unexpectedly to hold inaugural 5k race in his memory
Reporting by Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
